Obama moves to cut mandated military raise

President Barack Obama recently sent a letter to Congress stating that he was using his authority to cap the 2014 active-duty military pay raise at 1 percent, rather than the 1.8 percent mandated by law.

The law states that military pay raises are to be based on the Employment Cost Index compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which ties military raises to private-sector pay growth. Under the formula, military personnel are entitled to a 1.8 percent increase in January 2014.

Earlier this year, the Republican House authorized the 1.8 percent raise for our military, but the Democratic majority in the Senate Armed Services Committee supported the 1 percent pay increase proposed by the administration.

The president's move implies a lack of respect and a complete disregard for the many and continuing sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and their families. It is a slap in the face to all service members. And what message does it send to those who have served multiple tours in Iraq, are still fighting in Afghanistan and are assigned to other hot spots in the world defending our freedom?

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